Hungarian sparkling wine Archives - Hungarianwines

Happy birthday, Hungary!

Hungarianwines.eu — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:33:21 +0000

The republic of Hungary is 1026 years old today, since our first king, Szent István (Saint Stephen) was crowned on this day, on the 20th August in 1000. We have a lot of great quality sparkling wines to celebrate, and – even better – several of them are available in magnum format. Béres Brut Magnum 2022 is a traditional method sparkling made of 100% Hárslevelű.
The opening photo was taken at Zazie bistro at the Winelovers Wine Award gala dinner.

Drop of life

Béres Tokaj is an estate with a true Hungarian story, a history every Hungarian can be proud of. The label of each Béres wine has the shape of a drop, not by accident. Béres Drops is pharmaceutical product that helps people live a healthier life not only in Hungary but beyond our borders as well. The inventor, Dr. József Béres Sr. was “a healer of the soil, of plants, of animals, and then of people.” His life was not easy, he had to fight for his invention and for many years he was not allowed to produce it. His son, József Béres is a seasoned wine enthusiast, he founded Béres estate, and then the inventor’s granddaughter, Melinda Regéczy-Béres was in charge with her husband. Now Melinda is head of communication at the pharmaceutical company of the family, and her husband, Dávid Regéczy is the managing director of the estate – and certainly the whole family is still involved.
Read about the life of Dr. József Béres Sr.

So tasty!

“Extremely vibrant, lively, and vibrating, yet full and elegant sparkling wine made from 100% Hárslevelű. Dry, fresh, yet with a very rich palate with hints of apple, pear, peach, citrus, and rhubarb with a strong minerality that lingers in the finish along with grapefruit-like citrusy and tart green apple characteristics.” – this is the description of the sparkling wine by the winery. Well, even if you are not a rhubarb fan, don’t be afraid! This sparkling wine is stunning, juicy, so delicious, that you will surely ask for another glass.
More about Béres Brut Magnum 2022
More about Béres Tokaj

Dr. József Béres Sr., the inventor

Béres Vineyard and Winery with the surrounding vineyards and orchards

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Vencel Garamvári passed away

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:11:06 +0000

Vencel Garamvári, founder of Garamvári Vineyard, passed away on August 5th at the age of 85. He was a true gentleman, with refined taste, an experienced wine enthusiast, and a passionate lover of champagne and other sparkling wines. He was the first winemaker to make a bottle-fermented sparkling wine from 100% Furmint. A great man. Rest in peace!

In memoriam Vencel Garamvári

(1941 – 2026)
The text below was published by the family on the day of his death.

It is with deep sorrow and a broken heart that we announce the passing of Vencel Garamvári, the founder of our winery and a defining figure in Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture.
He was an inseparable part of the winery’s everyday life until the last moment, and finally, surrounded by his loving family, he passed away quietly – leaving behind a grandiose oeuvre that inspired generations. An unparalleled journey that we remember with respect and gratitude.
Vencel absorbed his father, József,’s love for winemaking and his humility towards nature. After graduating from the Budafok Oenological Technical School and the University of Horticulture, he earned a degree in winemaking engineering in 1966. He began his professional career at the Törley Sparkling Wine Factory in Budafok, where he soon became production manager and then director – thus laying the foundation stone for the production of premium sparkling wine in Hungary.
In 1990, at the dawn of the renewed Hungarian wine industry, he founded Vinarium, embracing quality Hungarian wineries, and then brought the Garamvári Vineyard to life, which, according to Vencel’s vision and guidance, has established and nurtured the Hungarian wine and sparkling wine culture: preserving ancient traditions, but also in the role of a pioneer of the profession and creativity, always keeping in mind uncompromising quality and the duty of striving for perfection, for more than 30 years now.
He was helped in this by his lifelong partner, Zsuzsanna, with whom he was able to achieve both his personal and professional successes hand in hand, until his last heartbeat. He inspired our family to do this, from which the third generation of dedicated winemakers has grown up, and continues the work that Vencel started. This is the legacy that he created, in South Balaton and Budafok.
As he put it: “I always dreamed of being surrounded by my own vineyards on all four sides.”
And the dream came true.
Vencel not only built the Hungarian wine industry, but also selflessly shared his knowledge and experience. He was a pioneer, but also a mentor and inspiration for generations.
His work, vision and love for winemaking will live forever in every grape, every bottle and every rising bubble of Garamvári.
We will preserve his memory and legacy with respect and love. With the sincere love of our hearts, we ask everyone who shares our grief – representatives of the winemaking profession, lovers of wines and sparkling wines, and our friends and acquaintances alike – to pay tribute to Vencel’s memory as he himself would have done: with a silent toast.

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New era, new hope – celebrate with new bubbles!

Hungarianwines.eu — Sat, 09 May 2026 13:45:50 +0000

May is the favourite month of many–especially in the Northern Hemisphere–due to its beauty and its abundance in flowers. In the Ancient Rome, people celebrated Maia, the goddess of fertility and the coming of summer. In Hungary today we celebrate the beginning of a new era with a new government, and with the promise that we will never be oppressed again by our own politicians. Bubbles are to celebrate, so let us recommend three novelties from the sparkling scene

Fehérvári Reserve Brut Rosé, Somló

“Leave the barriers behind: our Reserve Brut Rose rosé sparkling wine is a celebration of freedom given by self-confidence.” The embodiment of May: floral, uplifting, charming. This bottle fermented sparkling wine is made of Furmint, Hárslevelű, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and some red wine is added for the colouring. The traditional method sparkling wine ages on the lees for at least 24 months. 7000 bottles are made annually, and last year it won gold medal at Vinagora international competition.
What is the novelty? The winery itself, with centuries of history, but with a new era from only 2019. And another novelty: Fehérvári Reserve Rosé Brut is now available in magnum format. With a retail price (winery webshop) of 6299 HUF / around 18 EUR. The magnum retail price is 17 499 HUF / 50 EUR.
Fehérvári wines are available in some countries, for example in Poland on Wina Wulkaniczne webshop. If you are interested in importing, contact the export manager.
More about Fehérvári Wine Estate

Cseri Blabla aerated sparkling wine, Pannonhalma

Cseri Winery itself is a novelty on Hungarianwines.eu, we are just about to work with this young and ambitious family winery from the must-be-on-the-radar wine region of Pannonhalma. “Blabla” is a funny Hungarian word, it refers to cheerful chatting, usually with not much content. No wonder, the parents were inspired by the discussions of the new generation–and surely these talks contain a lot of “blabla”. But BLA is also the three initials of the three representatives of the younger generation: Barna, Lilla and Aguszta.
Blabla is an aerated sparkling wine made of Pinot Blanc, Rhine Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Traminer. The retail price (winery webshop) is only around 7-8 EUR.
Cseri wines are available in some countries, for example in Poland at Kociolek i Wino (Warsaw). If you want to import Cseri wines, contact the winery.
More about Cseri Winery

Csetvei Juhfark Petnat, Somló

Krisztina Csetvei simply “cannot do not new things”, creativity is in her DNA. The recent, 3rd edition of their Vinyl & Wine project with her husband includes a bottle (or 6) of Szürkebarát Petnat), and she also made petnat of Zöldveltelini (Grüner Veltliner), the list of petnats continues. The new member is made of Juhfark, the main grape of Somló, since Csetvei Cellar has a vineyard in Somló as well (though the winery itself is located in Mór wine region). What’s more, there is a Chardonnay Petnat, which will soon be available for on Autistic Art webshop to raise money for the Autistic Art Foundation. The petnats are available at the cellar in Mór – well worth a visit!
Csetvei wines are available in some countries, for example in Germany, at Noble Rot Weinbar (Berlin). If you are interested in importing, contact Krisztina Csetvei.
More about Csetvei Cellar

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Hungarian sparklings on The World of Fine Wine

Hungarianwines.eu — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:08:23 +0000

“…eclectic but increasingly exciting”

Sarah Marsh British Master of Wine spent several days in Hungary and tasted many sparkling wines, not only in Hungary, but back in England as well. It was Zsuzsa Toronyi of Wines of Hungary UK / Wine Communication, who worked hard to arrange the expert’s visit and tastings to the sparkling companies, and her efforts were rewarding.
The article on worldoffinewine.com is comprehensive, it has a historical introduction including the legal obstacles in the past, and features not only the key, leading companies, but many small producers as well. She even devoted some sentences to the explanation of our term “pezsgő”.

Sarah Marsh MW

Tokaj first and foremost

“Across Hungary corks are popping, but Tokaj’s sparkling wines are those that most appeal to me. They are the most consistent, but more significantly they have the strongest sense of place. Many places in the world make attractive bottle fermented wines, but Tokaji Pezsgő is driven by nervy Furmint which becomes savory and austere on volcanic soil. This winning combination produces wines with distinctive regional identity” – this is how Sarah Marsh MW ends her article. She introduces Sauska in detail, as the leading Tokaj sparkling producer, but mentions small batches as well: “Another small artisanal wine I enjoyed in Tokaj is the taut, steely, and linear Kata Zsirai Brut Nature NV.” Marsh also emphasises the uniqueness of Tokaj sparklings made of the other main grape, Hárslevelű. “You can taste the softer, honeyed style from Béres Winey, where they specialize in Hárslevelu. However, in the hands of sparkling master Zoltán Demeter, Hárslevelű is delicate and fragrant, breezy and saline.”

Kata Zsirai in the village of Mád (Tokaj)

Balaton – The sparkling lake

March describes Garamvári Vineyard in South Balaton in detail, and she was impressed by difference of the two Furmint sparkling wines of Garamvári (they have a small vineyard in Tokaj as well): “I was keen to compare the two bottle-fermented 2019 Furmints which were produced identically including the dosage. Lellei Furmint (from Balatonboglár) has a gentle palate with light herbal notes and a creamy finish. The Tokaji Furmint was more austere, energetic, straighter, and more focused.”
The wine writer indroduces the sparkling king of Somló, Kreinbacher, and lists seveal smaller producers as well, like Éliás: “There was even a Brut Nature Kéknyelű 2021 from Éliás Winery, which is engagingly sapid and more aromatic than autolytic.”

Garamvári makes Furmint from two wine regions, Tokaj and Balaton

The rest of the country

Etyek, the wine region near Budapest gets its well-deserved focus: Marsh explaines the new PDO of the region, Etyeki Pezsgő with its regulation. And she mentions other wine regions and producers, like Jackfall from Villány and Schieber from Szekszárd, wine regions in the south of the country.

Read the whole article here

About the World of Fine Wine

“Named Louis Roederer International Wine Publication of the Year three years running (2010, 2011 and 2012), we – The World of Fine Wine – are an award-winning magazine, website and app speaking to an international readership of discerning individuals who each share a passion for wine. We take a sophisticated approach to the assessment of fine wine that is neither dominated by fad or fashion, nor one individual palate, nor the latest over-hyped wines. The publication appeals to a broad spectrum of wine lovers because of the range of subject matter we cover and the quality and depth of the articles written on these academic topics. Working with some of the world’s most respected wine writers, we offer authoritative editorial content that is seeing us become the go-to place for the global fine wine aficionado. We are a quarterly publication with subscribers extending across 30 countries.”

Béres pezsgő made of Hárslevelű

Jackfall sparkling wine from the southern Villány

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Limited edition new release sparklings by Garamvári

Hungarianwines.eu — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:32:25 +0000

Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah from Balaton

Garamvári, the oldest family sparkling winery produces a wide range of sparkling wines, exclusively with the traditional method. Vencel Garamvári, the founder is fond of Champagne, therefore Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are key players at the estate, but it was also him, who created the first bottle fermented, 100% Furmint sparkling wine. The latest novelty is a pair of sparklings from two varieties, which have already received many acknowledgements as still wines.

Transforming ‘still’ success into sparkling

The current vintage of Garamvári Premium Syrah is 2020, and 2021 is coming soon – this is the vintage that won gold medal at the latest edition of VinAgora international wine contest. The spicy-herbal wine was aged around 15 months in barrel, to open it is a „black tie event” in itself. Garamvári makes Syrah only in the best vintages, the grapes are selected rigorously.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most important international white grape of Hungary (the third most planted after Chardonnay and Pinot Gris), wine drinkers love to grab a well-chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc at wine bars. Garamvári Premium Sauvignon Blanc 2023 is the white counterpart of the Syrah in many aspects: not only in popularity, but the Sauvignon also won gold medal at the same VinAgora contest. Its vibrant acidity and typical aromas of the variety (nettle, elderberry flower, freshly cut grass complemented by the not-so-typical quince) proves that this internationally well-known grape feels at home on the southern shore of Lake Balaton.

The grape is harvested in South Balaton, the wines are made there, but the sparkling procedure takes place in the sparkling cellar in Budafok (within Budapest)

The new white and rosé bubbles

Only 2000 bottles were made of each new sparkling wines, thus the ‘Limited Edition’ tag is not exaggeration. As the team says about the new Garamvári Sauvignon Blanc sparkling wine: „It would have been a shame to create a mediocre sparkling wine with a background like this. The outcome is the perfect marriage of the lightness of Sauvignon Blanc and the seriousness of a method traditional sparkling wine.”

Garamvári Syrah rosé sparkling is the result of a long experimenting period with optimal colour. „A bubbly that conquers both men and women immediately both with the nose and the palate full of berry fruits. Blackberry, blueberry, raspberry reinforced by the brut category.”
Both sparklings were aged on the lees for 18 months, and the dosage is 7-8 g / L in both wines.

Retail price of the Garamvári Sauvignon Blanc Brut sparkling is 7250 HUF / 17–18 EUR on Garamvári webshop (in Hungarian, but google can help)
Retail price of the Garamvári Syrah Brut sparkling is 7250 HUF / 17–18 EUR on Garamvári webshop

Garamvári wines are available in several countries around the world. If you are interested, contact Miklós Gáspár export manager here.

More about Garamvári Vineyards

Garamvári Vineyard

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Wedding oath bottled

Hungarianwines.eu — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:13:06 +0000

New release by Garamvári Vineyards

“We have bottled the day when we chose a person for life. We bottled the hope of a life. And when someone is happy, she or he wants to share that happiness with everyone. This is how Mimi was born.”

This is what Mirjam, a young winemaker (engineer of vinification) says about Mimi Blanc de Blancs, the latest release of Garamvári Vineyard. She is the granddaughter of Vencel Garamvári, the founder, and she is grateful for the opportunity of creating something memorable with all of her knowledge, experience and passion for her own wedding. The youngest member of Garamvári family has bottled a wonderful love confession and it is made of Pinot Blanc, it was aged for 24 months on the lees and available in very limited quantity: only 1000 bottles mare made.
“To taste happiness” in the language of sparkling wines, go to Garamvári webshop (in Hungarian, but google can help) or contact Garamvári team. The bottle fermented sparkling costs 8200 HUF / 22 EUR.
Garamvári webshop

More about Garamvári Vineyards

Garamvári Vineyard

Mirjam, her husband and Mimi (in the glass)

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Top 9 Hungarian sparkling wines

Hungarianwines.eu — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 11:10:07 +0000

Vince Magazine panel tasting, December issue

The panel of experts tasted 48 Hungarian sparkling wines, let us introduce the top 9 of the line up (at the 10th position there are 3 bottles with the same score). All the 9 bottle fermented sparkling wines are made of Furmint grape, 2 of them contains some Chardonnay. Most of them comes from the North-East of Hungary, except for the 5 star winners (from Somló) and Garamvári (from the South of Lake Balaton).

KREINBACHER BRUT CLASSIC MAGNUM 2018, Somló
KREINBACHER PRESTIGE BRUT MAGNUM 2017, Somló
TOKAJ-HÉTSZŐLŐ FURMINT BRUT 2019, Tokaj
BARTA BRUT 2017, Tokaj
PEARL & Z MAGNUM, WINE & PASTA NV, Eger
CHATEAU DERESZLA TOKAJI VINTAGE BRUT 2018, Tokaj
GARAMVÁRI LELLEI FURMINT BRUT 2019, Balaton
PAJZOS TOKAJ LA BULLE BRUT 2020, Tokaj
PÉTER TOKAJI FURMINT EXTRA BRUT 2019, Tokaj

Garamvári Lellei Furmint Brut

In the panel tasting 2019 vintage was evaluated, the photo and the webshop features vintage 2018 – and the price is a true champion: only 6500 HUF. According to the experts of Vince Magazine the sparkling wine has “vivacious lemon colour, tiny bubbles and intense bubbling. Elegant, pure nose with white fruits, citrus and a touch of brioche. Vibrant sparkling wine with great structure, nice balance, good acidity and a bit of tartness. Lovely aftertaste.”

More about Garamvári Vineyard

A wide selection of Garamvári sparkling wines are available at BON IMPORT in the Netherlands

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Top Hungarian sparkling wines for the festive season

Hungarianwines.eu — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 09:27:04 +0000

Recommendations from “Winelovers 100” publication

Sponsored article by Winelovers Webshop

Sparkling wines have been obligatory accessories of Christmas and New Year for centuries. The Hungarian sparkling wine production went through a striking development in the past decades, and by now local wineries make outstanding sparkling wines, sometimes with astonishing value for the price.

Let us present 5 exemplary sparkling wines with constantly stabile and high quality. What is more, all of them achieved high ranking in the publication Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine in the sparkling wine category.

All the sparkling wines are available to order from Winelovers Webshop. They ship to every European country.

Sauska Rosé Brut

This méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine came 2nd in the contest of Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine in the category of the best 20 sparkling wines. A blend of Pinot Noir, Furmint and Hárslevelű from Tokaj wine region. Pleasant colour of the onion skin, fine red berry fruits and lovely yeasty notes. A balanced wine with wide range of flavours, creamy texture and integrated, fine bubbles.

Order Sauska Rosé Brut

Kreinbacher Estate Brut Classic

This méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine came 5th in the contest of Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine, in the category of the best 20 sparkling wines. Ultimate classic with French mood: long lasting perlage, toast, brioche. On the palate we can discover apple peel and quince, the texture is creamy, the overall perception is elegance. Serious length, complex finish – probably the most popular bubbly of Hungary at the moment.

Order Kreinbacher Brut Classic

Gróf Degenfeld Furmint Extra Brut 2017

This méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine came 10th in the contest of Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine in the category of the best 20 sparkling wines. The nose is characterised by notes of autolysis and fruits together. Citrus and apple notes dominate complemented nicely with brioche and candy sugar. The mineral character makes it even more complex, more exciting. On the palate clear and pronounced fruits appear prolonged by the greatly structured acidity. The bubbles are creamy and had have good structure.

Order Gróf Degenfeld Furmint Extra Brut 2017

Gedeon Birtok (Estate) Cuvée

This sparkling wine came 12th in the contest of Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine in the category of the best 20 sparkling wines. Vivid perlage and attractive nose with flowers of the meadow. On the palate the white flesh peach is followed by notes of bottle ageing: butter, toast. A decent example of sparking wines from Kunság wine region – at shockingly good price.
Order Gedeon Birtok Cuvée

Paulus Rosé Brut

This sparkling wine came 15th in the contest of Winelovers 100 – The 100 Best Hungarian Wines magazine in the category of the best 20 sparkling wines. The nose is dominated by fruits, strawberry flows out of the glass. Intense and pronounced nose. When tasting, we can find an attractive, charming, easy to drink sparkling wine with good structure and creamy bubbles. Harmonious palate, vibrant acidity. It is a pleasure to taste and retaste.

Order Paulus Rosé Brut

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